Things You'll Need:
- Scarves
- Women's Casual Tops
- Women's Dress Coats
- Women's Dress Shirts
- Women's Dress Sweater
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Step 1
Remove any and all shoulder pads, and avoid structured suit jackets and coats.
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Step 2
Choose soft shoulders or raglan sleeves, and avoid clothing that draws the eye to the shoulder area, such as off-the-shoulder looks and cap or puffed sleeves.
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Step 3
Become aware of the triangle created by your shoulders and waist, and dress accordingly. Nipped-in and cinched waists will make your shoulders look bigger in comparison.
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Step 4
Wear vertical stripes, which downplay the appearance of full shoulders.
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Step 5
Soften the shoulders and make the body appear longer and leaner overall by wearing an entire outfit that's all the same color. Darker clothing on top will also help achieve this look.
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Step 6
Find jackets that fall to the hip instead of the waist.
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Step 7
Choose accessories such as chain belts, interesting buttons and bangles that attract the eye.
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Step 8
Wear a hairdo that lifts your center of visual interest. Short hair that doesn't hit the shoulders is a good choice.
Comments
christyb40272 said
on 5/19/2009 Here are some great tips for this very problem. First, always look for v-neck shirts. Also, don't be afraid to wear the new off the shoulder or one shoulder tops. This happens to slim the top area of the body drastically. I am a personal fan of puff sleeve shirts and I believe when you use these, it actually looks as though the top has formed your broad line and it balances your body frame.Not the other result as you have indicated. Just my opinion. Nice article and pretty good tips as well.
nish0067 said
on 5/7/2009 Hi. I have big broad shoulders which makes me very stressed. I have a tiny body and am size 8 but due to my non matching shoulders, i cant dress nicely like other girls, makes me look like a boy.. :( and very odd. Sometimes i feel like crying because they are so ugly with my body :( They just are too big for my hips and am only 21yo. I was wondering if there's any type of exercise that I could do maybe, which can help reduce the length of the shoulders and make is smaller naturally forever? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks..Nish
theperfectfit said
on 1/23/2009 As a tailor and designer, broad shoulder define the body shape more than small shoulders. Women with large hips need the balance of a good shoulder line.
sherrykay said
on 11/16/2008 Hi, So this is my question. Most of the advice books and articles such as this beg the following question: What if you (as in any, or most women) have several of these 'features'? An example: A short (or high waisted) woman with broad shoulders, a large chest, protruding tummy, long legs, an overall muscular body, about 5'6''? Or how about, a petite woman with a 'rectangle' (no pronounced waist), short legs, short neck, protruding belly, large chest, etc.? I see a problem that if you correct for one attribute, then what about the others (especially if they give contradictory advice). And-the 'shapes' that many authors give are averages but do not account for many kinds of variations. I think this article is great, but I usually am left with even more questions!
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 If you like shawls or scarves, try putting them asymmetrically over your shoulders, that keeps them covered but without making broad shoulders look broad. Wear blouses, T-shirts, tops that do not "stick to you waist" because it makes your shoulders broader (see: one of the Nike ads with a dancer in sports clothes). Thin straps make your shoulders the center of attention too.